Tag Archives: gifts

A year ago I bought a new TV. A nice TV. I shopped for months leading up to the holidays, comparing prices and technology, fully planning on buying the biggest and best TV I could get on one of the super black Friday deals. The weekend before Thanksgiving, on one of my scouting expeditions, I found a deal I couldn’t pass up. It wasn’t what I had planned, but it was less than half the price. It was still 20 inches bigger than what I currently had. My pride swelled even more when I set it up in the family room and my wife pushed the couch back several feet. “It’s too big.” she complained. “I can’t sit that close, it hurts my eyes.” A year later as I watch the ads for the newest 80 inch LCD TV, my TV seems a little less impressive. The shine has worn off and I’m not content. I know a lot of people who would love to have my TV. I say I’m thankful for what I have, but deep down I know if given the chance I’d trade it in for something else in a heartbeat. So can I truly be thankful for something when I’m not content? Continue reading

It’s amazing to me how my life has changed over the years. I have two spoiled rotten little boys. This year for Christmas my wife and I had decided to go very simple. On black Friday we bought some books and board games for our 3 and 5 year olds. Only about 3 presents each and nothing for each other. We figured they have enough things and we are very blessed. “Let’s focus on that” we thought. But as Christmas got closer the excitement of presents got a hold of both of us. Even the grocery store had toys stacked strategically to excite our children. One day while picking up antibiotics at the pharmacy for his double ear infection, our youngest grabs this toy hamster, looks at my wife and says “I don’t want to put him back mommy. I love him”. He wound up getting two hamsters and a hamster playset for Christmas. Christmas morning was one of the best days we’ve had as a family. The excitement and surprise from both boys (and my wife who didn’t know I bought her things) is what makes being a parent exciting. Continue reading

It’s hard to truly appreciate something when you don’t have a personal relationship with it. We talk about Jesus, God, and His sacrifice all the time. We do bible studies, come to church, go to Christian schools, and talk the talk (even walk the walk). But how much of it do we truly take to heart. When you talk to a friend who has lost a loved one and you’ve experienced the same, the emotions and connection are much stronger. You feel that pain with them.